Laurence's POV:
Baylorik groaned under me as he shifted and winced. "Laurence~ I wasn't expecting you to tackle me," he whispered then laughed shakily as he ran his fingers through my hair.
"Don't leave," I whispered and eyed him over. "Mayloi is too young to protect a hoard on his own... You know how he is," I whined out. "What if a meaner dragon comes along and eats him then me?" Baylorik frowned at me then hugged me tightly.
"Mayloi is perfectly capable of protecting this hoard. He's powerful- just a big old cuddle bug around you. He adores you too much to be vicious in front of you. He's your baby, and he knows it," he whispered then glanced towards Divya who had fallen a few feet away from us. She eyed us over and gave a small hiss. I whined and rubbed my head against his chest.
"Stay here," I begged.
"I-I...." He gave a whine then and looked at me. "But our queen is leaving, and hunters are coming after us."
"Stay cooped up in my treasure hoard for a few centuries," I suggested.
"But fish... and flying," he whispered then looked to be considering it.
"Gold... You're giving up gold," I whispered to lure him in. He whined as his eyes flashed gold and he quickly looked away from me.
"I c-could have gold in the dragon realm too. I'm a big vicious dragon...."
"You'll leave your gold here?" I asked him again. "You have mountains here." He frowned then looked towards Divya before he growled something out in dragon at her, tilting his head as he studied her. She watched him before looking at me and smirked and started for me. I widened my eyes and got off him quickly. She's coming after me! He snatched her up into his hands then licked up her spine to her head and growled lightly.
"Don't bite him," he whispered into her ear. "Do you want to stay here or go to the dragon realm?"
"I think we should follow our queen," Divya said and smirked. "We'll come back to this hoard eventually... but there is a world out there we could conquer." Baylorik smirked then kissed her head lightly.
"You want to conquer the world?" He teased her lightly then nipped at her neck. "We could have lots of hatchlings if we get a good nest~"
"Let's go~ I want to go exploring anyways. Laurence this isn't goodbye forever~ We'll be back." She gave me an amused look. "You have to let us go."
"N-no," I whispered. "I'll lock you up." Baylorik sat up then and gave me a sweet look.
"We'll come back to visit until we can come back for good," he promised then put Divya on his shoulder. "Keep my nest warm and ready for me?"
"Baylorik," I mumbled and sniffled. "Don't go?" I asked again and grabbed his arms. "Stay here. I can protect you." He kissed the top of my head then purred as he nuzzled his head against mine.
"You got killed the last time hunters came by," he whispered. "I don't want you to get killed by dragon hunters." I whined and leaned up against him.
"Don't use that as a reason to leave."
"It's a good one though," he murmured then nipped at the top of my ear. "I could take you with me into the dragon realm for a few years if you want... as a vacation. I'd hide you in my hoard."
"No thanks... I like baths and servants," I purred out to him and laughed. He nodded then kissed my cheek.
"I'll come visit you every few years," he whispered in my ear then kissed my jaw gently. "I promise~ I'm still your dragon, Laurence. I won't go to a different hoard when I return... and you could use your shadows to come to the portal and enter then find me," he suggested lightly. "I'll never be out of reach from you, and neither will my mate or my hatchlings."
"I know... I just want you closer," I mumbled to him and gave him a begging look. He considered me for a moment then leaned his head against mine.
"Once a month? Is that frequent enough for you?" He asked softly. I whined but nodded.
"F-fine," I whispered. "You have to visit me monthly." He nodded then kissed my forehead with a purr.
"I'll come back once a month with Divya."
"You better or I'll come looking for you," I warned him.
"If I don't show up the first of the month each month, then something is wrong," he told me and rubbed my head. "I'll be back every month until I become one of the stars in the sky, I promise~ I'll bring my hatchlings too if I have any."
"Okay," I whispered softly and eyed him over before I sniffled. "I still don't want you to go," I whispered. He knelt down in front of me and pulled me into his arms.
"I know.... I'll come back for good once the hatred for dragons dies down unless something happens to me," he promised and kissed my cheek again. "I won't forget you either, and neither will Divya. Mayloi will keep you company while I'm gone and keep the house noisy for you... and maybe you should make him learn a little independence too. He's centuries old and he's still attached to you like he's four even though I've seen him get vicious with me. Teach him to fish near the castle if you can," he suggested lightly. "Let him see that fresh fish is amazing to eat. It's a lot healthier for him."
"I know..." I trailed off before I frowned and eyed him over. "He needs to learn independence," I mumbled. "I sent him off on his own a few hours ago. I really think you should stay and help me teach him though." He nodded then purred.
"Kick him out of your bed for a week," he told me and smirked. "He'll learn real quick."
"You think so?" I asked and frowned. He keeps me warm though... "I guess I could try it."
"He might throw a fit though," he warned me and tapped my nose. "He's used to sleeping with you and being able to snuggle up to you when he wants. I'll check in on you both in two weeks, okay?"
"Okay," I whispered and rubbed my arm. "You're going to come back- right?" I asked him. "You're not going to get used to it on the other side and forget about me?" He nodded.
"I'll come back and if I don't, I give you my permission to go into the dragon realm and rip me out of my new hoard and bring me back for good to stay," he told me and ruffled my hair. "I'm not going to forget you~" I nodded and gave him a small smile.
"Okay... You can go now..." I grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. "But I want to watch you leave." He nodded then squeezed my hand back before he pulled away and started for the door with a purr as he kissed Divya's head and then gave her a small lick. She purred towards him and looked at me.
"Don't worry~ He'll come back," she promised me. I nodded and followed them like I was their shadow. He walked outside swiftly then glanced around before he set Divya to the side on the porch then went down the steps to the ground below. He glanced back at me then purred as he started to strip then transformed quickly, shaking his head as he stretched his body then fluttered his wings. I heard a small hiss from behind me before Mayloi shot past me for him and tackled his leg, squeezing it.
"Don't go yet! Don't go!" He begged and nuzzled his head against him. Baylorik looked down at him then licked his head as he nudged Mayloi off slowly.
"I'll be back soon. Don't worry~" He told him then made Mayloi fall onto his butt and rubbed his head against him. Mayloi let out a soft moan and stretched out, grabbing Baylorik's head and hugged it. I eyed them over before looking towards Mayloi. Maybe I should make him go with Baylorik.. For his safety and to learn independence. Baylorik pulled back suddenly then looked towards Divya, calling for her as he lowered his head for her and ignored Mayloi as he sat up and sniffled. Divya ran up to Baylorik and jumped up on his head quickly before curling up on it and purred.
"Mayloi, now is your last chance to go with him," I whispered. Mayloi looked towards me quickly then at Baylorik before he wiped at his face and stood up.
"But... why does he have to leave?" Mayloi mumbled then looked towards me. "I don't want him to go... and I don't want to leave you.... Everything I know is here...."
"I know... but think of it as... all of our safety," I mumbled.
"But why? We're safe here," he said and sniffled as his eyes started to tear up.
"Not anymore," I whispered. "Hunters are after your kind... and they'll kill me too."
"Then I'll eat them! I'll eat them all!" He hissed and rubbed at his eyes quickly. Baylorik eyed him over then looked at me before he puffed out some smoke then leaned down, picking up Mayloi in his jaws. I heard my baby dragon scream before he started to cry and shook his head no, trying to get free. I tensed up at the sight and felt my breath catch. N-no don- no, it's for his own good... I can't let him stay here! I've got to man up! I'm older than them... I need to stop crying and act my age... well try to act mature- not my age. Baylorik glanced me over then started to turn away, tightening his grip on Mayloi, but I heard Mayloi let out a sharp growl, trying to transform to get free. He was stopped though quickly by Baylorik's jaws threatening to bite down harder on him to keep a grip, and I heard Mayloi call out again, freaking out.
"Daddy! DADDY! NO! Put me down! I don't wanna go!" I reached out for them quickly but felt something tug at my foot. I looked down to see a shadow wrapping around it to stop me. This is for his own good. I placed my arm down and trembled a little. I'm going to have cold nights again. "DADDY!" I heard him give a sharp whine as Baylorik unfurled his wings and went to take off, getting a running start.
"I'll see you soon," I said softly. I could barely hear myself say it. I saw Baylorik cast one last glance back at me before he took off, flying off quickly as he rose up into the sky above the clouds and disappeared from my line of sight. I felt my heart speed up as I looked the sky over. I caught one last glimpse of him further off in the sky before the sound of birds chirping and the rustle of leaves was all I could hear.
"Laurence," I heard Victor whisper from behind me before the pop of a bottle opening reached my ears. "You need this more than me...." I sniffled and turned around to face him before I grabbed the bottle and started to chug it.
"Whoa!! You can't give that to him! He's going to die," Rose said quickly as she ran up. "Victor!"
"He just lost three of the closest living friends he has," Victor told her sternly. "They've been living with him for centuries. We can't possibly imagine what it's like to lose your only company and companions and your son after living with them for that long. I was messed up when I lost my companion, and I didn't even have her that long." Rose grumbled a little before crossing her arms.
"We'll have to watch him when he sleeps so he doesn't die in it," she muttered.
"I'll be fine," I told her as I finished the vodka and hiccupped a little. Studying me, Victor reached out and took the bottle from my grip then slipped it into his jacket before he picked me up and held me close.
"Come on big guy.... Let's go get you some tea and a few sweets- maybe some blood," he suggested then rubbed my back as he carried me towards the door. I sniffled and felt my head get light as the world spun around me. I clung to him quickly and rubbed his clothes with my thumbs.
"Tea sounds nice," I mumbled and hiccupped again. Rose followed us quickly. I knew she was concerned for me. I know these things~
"Yeah~ Let's go see what we can find you," Victor suggested then kissed the top of my head as he held me close. "Maybe we can wake Baleen up and he can help you be happy too. It's not exactly goodbye with your companions."
"I don't have many companions," I mumbled and hiccupped before I gripped his shirt as I felt like I was falling out of his arms. He tightened his grip on me then rubbed my head.
"I can find you a new companion," he suggested softly. "I could maybe get you a cat... maybe a werewolf pack... perhaps a phoenix- if I can find one. They're rare~ I could try to find you a young wizard to live with you."
"Be my companion," I mumbled and rubbed my head against his chest. I felt him tense up before he purred slightly at me.
"Alright, I'll be your companion, but I can't be here all the time... and I still have to go home to Russia but I'll visit more... and when your dragons come back, you have to give them lots of attention and not replace them with me, okay?" He asked then rubbed my back. I nodded and leaned in for his neck and gave it a kiss.
"Sleep with me tonight," I mumbled.
"As long as Baleen is okay with it," he teased me lightly then kissed my forehead. "Don't get too drunk." I nodded before I hiccupped again and let out a small groan. He purred and then took me inside back to my study before he sat in my desk chair with me in his lap and started to run his fingers through my hair. Glancing up towards Rose, he gave her a sweet smile and kissed my temple. "Get him some tea, please."
"I'll get him Baleen," Rose whispered before leaving the room. I rubbed my head into Victor's neck and purred. He chuckled then playfully exposed his fangs at me and growled.
"You're going to get bit," he teased me and leaned in to mess with me. I purred and exposed my neck for him and let out a small breath. I felt him pause before he leaned in then licked my neck, moving his arms around me as he bit down and moaned at my taste. I gasped and melted against him quickly. He growled against me and moved his fangs in a little deeper as his fingers racked down my back lightly. I shivered at his touch and gave a small gasp. He pulled his fangs out and looked at me as he licked his lips slowly then smirked at me as he eyed my neck over. I eyed him over and gave a small gasp and grabbed the front of his shirt tightly. He glanced at me then purred before he leaned in and kissed my neck. "Calm down," he whispered to me. "You probably drank too much~" I giggled and nodded before I laid my head down on his shoulder quickly. He watched me then smirked as he patted my back then looked towards the door expectantly. I looked at the door curiously. Baleen! I giggled as he walked in and looked around for me worriedly before he walked up to me quickly.
"What's the matter young master?" He asked me.
"N-nothing." I hiccupped quickly.
"The dragons left," Victor explained softly. "They went to the dragon realm, and Baylorik took Mayloi with him for Mayloi's safety. Laurence is drunk."
"Oh..." Baleen frowned as he eyed me over. "Young master I'll start up a bath for you and I expect you to be in it in ten minutes. Can you assist my master to it?" He asked Victor. I purred and rubbed my head against Victor's chest quickly. Victor tensed then nodded.
"Yes, I can help him get to the bath. The dragons said they'd come back every once in a while, to visit," He whispered and got to his feet, cradling me in his arms as he walked towards Baleen.
"Thanks for informing me," Baleen sighed out. "Mayloi meant a lot to my young master." He started off down the hall then.
"I know. I'm sure he was like a son to him. I know Mayloi thought of him as his father," he told Baleen and frowned as he followed Baleen down the hall. "So, how's the ghost life?" I watched as Baleen's body glitched a little and became clear before solid again.
"Just fine..." Baleen trailed off as he led us towards my room. Victor walked past him and into the bathroom before he set me down by the tub and started to undress me calmly, glancing over to Baleen curiously. Baleen started the hot water calmly. I frowned and eyed Victor over before I kicked off my shoes quickly. He pulled away once I was undressed and smirked.
"Have fun with your bath~" He purred and started for the door as he waved over his shoulder. "Feel better~ I'll wait in your room for you." I purred as I watched him and smirked. Baleen walked up to me quickly and wrapped his arms around me as he picked me up and placed me in the warm water. I gasped as the warm water hit my skin and made me warm and fuzzy. Baleen gave me a small smile as he carefully washed my body. He took his time with me and let me soak in the warmth.
After my bath Baleen dressed me in something comfortable and carried me into the bedroom to give me to Victor. I reached out for him as soon as my eyes landed on him. He smirked and reached up, taking me out of Baleen's arms and kissed the top of my head before he looked at Baleen and laughed. "He smells a lot better~ You're really good to my friend, aren't you? Probably the best butler he's ever had except for your father."
"I love my young master dearly... I had a great father that taught me well. I know Laurence well enough now... After being with him way past my life, I don't think there can be anyone else to watch after him but me." Which is a good thing he thinks that. He'll never leave me if I can help it. I don't want to lose him. I don't want to lose anyone... especially not him. He's the only butler I want. I trust him more than anything. He's a product of his father. Victor purred and nodded.
"Good, you will probably be stuck with him until someone ends Laurence thousands of centuries later after I'm already gone," Victor told him then smirked. "He probably doesn't want you to go anywhere either."
"Never," I mumbled and eyed him over. I should have turned him when he was young. Baleen tensed as he saw the way I was looking at him. I felt Victor kiss the top of my head as he rubbed my back and laughed.
"Too bad Baleen never had a son to give you as the next butler. Whatever happened to his sister? Did she ever have children?" Victor asked and glanced Baleen over.
"She died when she was ten," Baleen mumbled. "She wasn't careful with the knives."
"Hmmm... I'm sorry for the death of your sister, but at least it was knives and not at the end of a vampire hunter's sword," he told him then purred.
"Thanks," Baleen whispered and looked at us awkwardly.
"Hey, Laurence wants to know if I can sleep in his bed tonight with him. Is that alright with you?" Victor asked and smirked at Baleen.
"I don't mind. It's what my young master wants," Baleen whispered.
"Want to sleep with us?" Victor teased him and chuckled.
"No," Baleen said quickly and shook his head.
"Why not? Are you scared that we bite?" He exposed his fangs then and smirked devilishly. "You're already dead~"
"I don't sleep with my young master," he said calmly.
"What if he wanted it?" Victor asked curiously and rubbed my head. "Laurence, what do you think~?"
"He still wouldn't sleep with me," I whined out. "He hasn't ever slept with me."
"Then order him to~ He's your butler. He has to obey your word," he purred to me and smirked, watching Baleen closely. "If he doesn't, then you can punish him."
"I'll take the punishment. It's inappropriate to sleep with my young lord," Baleen told him.
"How shall we punish you~? How about whippings?" He suggested and smirked, eyeing Baleen over. "I have some whips in my castle that I can fetch for you, Laurence."
"I'm not going to punish Baleen for not wanting to sleep with us," I mumbled. "He doesn't have to."
"Aw that's no fun," he whispered then started to massage my shoulders. "I guess it's just us then."
"Three is a crowd anyways," I whispered and giggled before I hiccupped. He laughed then nodded before he playfully kissed my neck and growled.
"My young master is having a bonfire tonight," Baleen told Victor in slight amusement.
"Mhmm~ I killed lots of deer for it too. You can figure out how you want to cook them, Baleen," he hummed out then licked my neck slightly.
"I'm sure the servants have already planned that part out for me."
"Maybe... you should tell us a story at the bonfire tonight, Baleen," he told him then pulled back from my neck quickly, wrapping his arms around me. "You could tell us what you've seen in all your years or stories that you've heard. Laurence doesn't want to tell us stories."
"Oh~ I know some things. Like the blue book in his study." Baleen gave a smirk as he looked to be thinking about it.
"Blue... book?" Victor frowned then. "What's in the blue book?" He tensed and started to sit up more, slowly moving me to the side. I gripped his shirt quickly before I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Stuff about the first vampires," I told Victor calmly.
"What about them?" He asked and looked down at me with a frown as he stopped moving me.
"Just records... Names..." I shrugged. "Important things."
"So... it's how vampires came to be?" He asked curiously and tilted his head before he smirked. "I'm so going to read that before I go home~!"
"Yeah. It's good stuff~" I laid my head down on his shoulder and sighed. "Someday I'll have to think about who to give it to."
"I guess you will.... What if you had copies made?" He suggested to me lightly then played with my hair, running his fingers through it. "You could even maybe get it published in our society for vampires to be able to get their hands on and read... unless you'd prefer this information to stay with your close friends."
"I don't think all of the information needs to be out there," I said quickly. "After all there are many things in it that shouldn't be known to everyone."
"Okay~ You should still make a small history book with the things you want the others to know though. There will be future generations of purebloods after we're gone, and they will want to know how they got from point A to point B."
"I will in the future when it's easier to copy books," I purred out.
"I'll be the first one to get my hands on the books when you make it," he told me and smirked, kissing the top of my head. I nodded and gave him a smile.
"You will? I'll set aside the first copy just for you." I exposed my fangs at him playfully. He exposed his fangs back at me and smirked.
"Oh yeah? I'll have to be on the lookout for when you start to make them so that way I can come get my copy~" He started to lean in towards my neck and growled.
"I'll just tell you~" I leaned away from him quickly and giggled. He narrowed his eyes a little as he eyed my neck over then ran his fingers through my hair, pulling his face away from me and unsharpened his fangs.
"I'll be waiting," he whispered.
"No, you won't... not that long anyways. Humans are slow." He raised an eyebrow at me then went to get up, starting to move me aside.
"Come on. I'm sure Rose and Vlad are missing us," he told me and smirked. I nodded and got up. The world started to spin around me quickly and I stumbled into him.
"Carry me?" I asked and wrapped my arms around his neck. He tensed a little before he purred and scooped me off my feet.
"Alright you little drunk," he teased me and kissed the top of my head as he cradled me in his arms.
"Did you say duck?" I asked. Was it drunk or duck?
"No, I said drunk. D-R-U-N-K." He smirked and tapped my nose.
"Duck," I mumbled and giggled. "You're one too."
"Laurence~ you're not going to remember any of this, are you?" He asked me and laughed, carrying me towards the door. "You could meet the most beautiful creature on this planet and forget her the next day."
"So?" I asked and laughed. "I'll just rely on you to remind me." I grabbed a lock full of his hair and started to play with it. "You know what you should do? You should start deciding on someone to court."
"Nah, I'll leave the women waiting for a few more centuries. It's a lot easier to run my country without a princess breathing down my neck and yelling at me that I don't spend enough time romancing her," he told me and laughed. "Plus, it's much more fun solo~ I can dance with whoever I want and flirt with whoever I want. I don't have to worry about engagements or babies or whatever the person wants."
"You're not fun~! You have no idea what's in store for you in the future. You have a pretty girl waiting."
"Psh, that's the future. That isn't now," he told me and smirked. "She'll show up when she shows up. I'm not in a rush to get in a relationship."
"Alright... fine... She's a busy girl anyways. She doesn't have time for you either." He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Is she now? She wouldn't happen to be in Italy, would she? She's not your ex fiancé?"
"You sure would love to know~ Wouldn't you? We do have some things to do with Val in the future though. We're going to this place called... America. Full of Indians."
"Mhmm~ I need to go see Val on my way home actually. It's been way too long since I've seen her, and I feel like she wants to see me... and Dante too. I think he's lonely," he hummed out thoughtfully. "He hasn't sent me a letter in a long time. He needs to be checked on."
"I already said I would send for Val~ Should I ask for Dante too?"
"Yes... we should check on him, make sure he's not dead," he said calmly then looked at me. "When is she going to come here?"
"Probably as soon as a letter reaches her. Maybe earlier.... She's a witch... there's no telling what she's doing... spying.... listening... anything really."
"Hmm," he hummed and glanced around before he smirked. "I could go get her and leave you in the capable hands of our dearest Rose," he told me.
"No~ I just got a better idea."
Alex's POV:
I felt Val grab the back of my shirt before she shoved me into a bath. I could hear her giggling as I sunk to the bottom. I groaned then paused time before I got out of the tub and looked at my soaking wet clothes then at Val before I smirked and took my dripping wet clothes off before I whistled and walked towards my closet and grabbed fresh clothes and started to get dressed. I came back out and shook my head, getting rid of the wet water that was stuck in my hair then smirked at her before I restarted time and leaned against the nearby wall. "What was that for, Val?" I asked and purred at her as I chuckled.
"You need one if you're thinking about climbing back into my bed," she told me and turned around to face me. "You better have taken one too and didn't just crawl out as soon as you got in there." I widened my eyes then slowly started to strip. I can't get into the bed with her if I'm not clean. What the hell? It's not like I killed somebody.... I got back into the tub and huffed as I reached for my cloth to clean myself.
"What is it with men and never taking baths in this age?" She asked softly before she eyed me over. "Scrub behind those ears and between your toes."
"Yes ma'am," I whispered then looked up at her with a purr. "You could clean me yourself to make sure that I'm extra clean," I teased her then gave her a smirk. She smirked and eyed me over before she started to pull off her white dress- unlacing the lace in the front and slid it off. She stepped into the water slowly like a goddess as she kept her eyes on me. I purred as I watched her and sat up a little to watch her better, eyeing her over. Huh, she joined me.... I wonder if this is a trick. "It's not every day you join me, milady~"
"You act like it's a big deal," she purred out. "I want to make sure you don't leave something unclean on you." She moved closer to me and took the rag from me. The room started to get darker suddenly as shadows swirled around the walls- growing closer to us. I frowned and glanced around the room then grabbed her arm.
"Val," I whispered then looked towards her. "The shadows are stirring. You aren't doing that, are you?" I brought her close to me as I looked at the shadows and exposed my fangs. "It's not funny if you're doing it."
"I'm not doing that," she told me calmly and eyed them over. One grew rapidly close to the edge of the water before withdrawing and revealed clothes for us. I frowned and glanced at the clothes then at Val.
"Then I think we're being summoned, milady," I told her and wrapped my arms around her. "Looks like that shadow lover wants us."
"Laurence?" She asked and looked towards the clothes. "He can wait." She leaned in towards my neck quickly and bit down into me. I gasped then winced before I glanced at her and ran my fingers through her hair. I should've expected to be bitten. I gently kissed her head then tilted my head back for her obediently, trailing my hand down her back slowly along her spine. She gave me a small purr of amusement before pulling away. "You taste wonderful," she whispered to me. "Like the first time I tasted your blood." I looked at her then felt my heartbeat in my chest before I curled my fingers in her hair and leaned in, kissing her quickly. She purred and leaned away from the kiss quickly before she started to wash my face with the cloth. I smirked and exposed my fangs at her playfully and glanced towards her wrist. Heh... I wonder what she'd do. I leaned in quickly and bit into it, sinking my fangs in then started to drink her blood with a soft moan. She gasped and narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched me. I looked at her then slowly pulled back, licking my lips clean then gave her an innocent look as I took her hand and had her rub my cheek with the washcloth.
"I only wanted a taste," I whispered to her and gently kissed her bleeding wrist. She tsked and continued washing my face.
"Who said you could have a taste?" She asked me.
"Me," I purred softly then leaned back against the edge of the large bath. "I can't have a small taste of my princess and my maker? You did take my kingdom from me, remember?"
"I remember~ You should be happy though. I gave you eternity." I watched her then frowned but didn't say anything back to her. She'd only get upset if I said anything against it. At least I don't have to put up with her having an engagement anymore, but I had a kingdom and people who respected me and loved me and adored me. I had a wonderful life with victories piling up at my feet.... Now I'm stuck for eternity with a maker who doesn't reward me often.
"Yes, you did give me eternity," I muttered. At the cost of my kingdom and fame. Now I'm known as the great emperor who was killed by a mere cold.
"You still look upset... You have to learn to get over it. You died and was born new."
"I know," I whispered then looked towards her with a frown. I looked her over then leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I try not to think about it often, milady."
"I know you do... but you need to clear your mind of it entirely."
"It's kind of hard," I told her and frowned. "I was at the height of my conquests when you came and took me away from it." I rubbed her cheek then pulled my hand away. "If anyone else had done it, I might have killed them by now."
"Why don't you kill me?" She asked in amusement.
"Because you're beautiful and you would find some way to defy my blessing and kick my ass for it," I told her and smirked. "No, I won't kill you because then I'd be alone in this existence of mine that you gave me, and I do like you or else you wouldn't have been able to trick me that night."
"I know you like me... Every time your lips touch mine," she whispered before she shoved me down into the water. I growled then resituated myself and looked at her before I moved away and snatched my cloth from her.
"I can clean myself," I muttered then rubbed one of my shoulders with the cloth, facing away from her.
"Good," she purred out in amusement and wrapped her arms around me. I looked at her then growled slightly, exposing my fangs.
"You're just in here to mess with me, aren't you?" I asked her then narrowed my eyes. Of course, that's why she'd be in here. She could care less about bathing me. She doesn't care for my advances.
"No~ I'm not just messing with you," she whispered sweetly to me. I frowned and looked at her before I sighed and handed her the cloth.
"If you say so," I whispered. She grabbed the cloth and started to wash my back.
"So, we're being summoned to Laurence... what do you think he wants?" She asked.
"Maybe he's lonely. It's been a few centuries... or maybe he wants to ask you to marry him again because he thinks you've cooled down about him lying to you about his age.... Maybe he has another war coming and he wants to use me to win it," I suggested and relaxed against her touch.
"You think so?" She asked in amusement. I looked at her and smirked.
"What other reasons could he ask for us being there? He wants our company," I told her then gave her a playful growl. "He might just want yours and be inviting me just as a courtesy." I exposed my fangs and chuckled then ran one of my fangs along her finger to tease her as her hand scrubbed my shoulder. She purred and pulled away from me and tossed me the rag.
"We better go see what he wants."
"Now?" I asked and frowned. "I'm not clean yet." She gets me in the bath and makes me start to clean up, but we don't finish? Typical. I stood up then started for the stone tiles, getting out. I walked over to table where fresh towels were waiting then started to dry the water off me.
"I meant for you to clean yourself," she whispered. I glanced back at her then frowned.
"I'll take a bath there I guess," I told her then grabbed another towel for her. "I don't need one right now anyways unless you insist on me getting back in the bath and finishing."
"Fine," she sighed out and got out quickly and walked up to me. She took one of the towels and wrapped it around her body. I purred at her then wrapped the towel around my waist before I leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Don't you want to see your dear old friend?" I teased her. "I look forward to another chess game with him. Maybe he's improved."
"Maybe he'll kick your butt this time," she told me in amusement and walked up to the fresh clothes provided by the shadows and put them on.
"I doubt he will, but I'll definitely bet with him," I told her and smirked, following her. "Want to do this the long and fun way or the short and easy way?" I asked her and picked up the pants first, slipping them off after I dropped the towel. "I could pause time and we could go on an adventure to get to Laurence, or you could take us there."
"I could take us there. I'd rather be quick and easy about it."
"Alright," I hummed out and got dressed before I turned to her and purred. "Shall I pack some bags for us?" She gave it a thoughtful look. The shadows suddenly closed in on us and the world darkened. The darkness remained for only a second before we were standing by a warm fire.
"There they are~" I heard Laurence's voice. His voice sounded a little off though... like he was drunk. I frowned and glanced around for Laurence before my eyes landed on him. I smirked and went towards him before I exposed my fangs at him.
"Laurence~ It's been awhile. What have you been up to?" I asked and sniffed him to find out how drunk he was. Victor smirked at me as he held him, sitting down by a bonfire.
"Getting drunk with me~ VAL!" He called out quickly for her and purred. "I missed you~!"
"I missed you too," Val purred out before she eyed over the fire before her eyes landed on two strangers and she sniffed the air like I was doing. Laurence smelled wasted- but the two strangers smelled familiar... Rose and Vlad! I glanced their way and smirked before I sat down by Victor and snatched Laurence from him, holding him as I chuckled. Victor tsked at me and looked at Laurence then looked towards Val, reaching out for her.
"Come sit with us~" He called out then smirked. "I'll tell you what happened today, and why Laurence is drunk. Oh, and look, it's lovely Rose and Vlad too for us to spend time with." He pointed them out to Val and chuckled. Val giggled as she eyed Rose and Vlad over.
"You two grew up," she purred out in amusement before walking over and sat down with me. Laurence leaned up against me and eyed over Victor.
"Do you have another bottle?" He asked.
"Of course, I do," he said then pulled one out, offering it to him. I glanced towards the bottle then smirked and snatched it, opening it up and taking a sip. Laurence grabbed the bottle and took a sip from it quickly. I smirked then rubbed his head before I looked between the two of them.
"We should have a guy's night out," I suggested and chuckled. "No girls."
"Vlad's here too," Laurence told me, "and Dante," he said just as shadows appeared and dropped off a panicked looking Dante. He shivered and looked around with wide eyes before he looked towards the bonfire then blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted to the light then looked towards us before he growled and exposed his fangs.
"What the hell?! Your shadows attacked me!" He shouted and started for us with a snarl. Victor perked up quickly and got to his feet, running up to Dante before he tackled him into a hug and purred.
"Dante~ You're here! Come sit with us!" He laughed and brought Dante over to us with a smirk as Dante frowned in confusion. Laurence quickly crawled into Dante's lap and purred.
"Dante!" He leaned in and gave his cheek a kiss. Dante tensed then looked at him before he frowned.
"Laurence... what am I doing here? Come on, you wouldn't have brought me here unless you wanted something. You don't send me letters," he said then rubbed Laurence's head. "Not since the war."
"I'm sowwie about it," Laurence sniffled out and started to cry. Dante's eyes widened before he leaned in and hugged Laurence.
"Don't cry!" He said then rubbed Laurence's head. Victor frowned and went to snatch him, but Dante smacked his hands away from Laurence's body. Laurence rubbed his head into Dante's chest.
"I didn't mean to ignore you," Laurence sniffled out. "I'm sorry!" Dante nodded then sighed.
"Well... you're drunk," he whispered, smelling Laurence then looked towards Victor before he smirked. "Victor, where's my bottle?" He purred out and took one as Victor got one out for him.
"How many bottles do you have in there!?" Rose asked and looked mad. Victor looked at her then calmly looked in his jacket.
"Well... I did get my pockets enchanted to be bottomless~ I'd say about one hundred more."
"VICTOR!" Rose yelled out and frowned. "I'm going to strip you."
"You can try, but you won't get very far," Victor teased her and smirked.
"I'll try my hardest," she whispered. He winked at her then.
"If you can catch me," he purred, making Dante snicker as he took a swig of his bottle.
"I can lure you," she teased.
"No, you can't," he told her and exposed his fangs as he pulled out another bottle and went to take a sip of it. She eyed him over before looking at Vlad and grabbed his hand. Vlad burst out into a purr and flicked his ears, looking at her happily and tightened his grip on her hand. Laurence purred and went to bite Dante suddenly. I laughed as I heard Dante yelp and put the bottle between Laurence's teeth to stop him then smirk at Laurence.
"Are you trying to bite me?" He teased Laurence and chuckled. "People don't bite me. I bite them."
"You smell good though," Laurence whined out. Dante smirked then took the bottle out from between his teeth and exposed his fangs.
"I smell good? Great! I've been working on making myself smell wonderful. I've been taking baths with vanilla scents," he told him teasingly. Laurence purred and started to play with his shirt.
"My dragons left me," he whispered.
"Did they?" Dante asked and frowned at him as he watched him closely. Victor tsked and looked at the two of them as I raised an eyebrow. His dragons left him? That would explain why he's drunk. He liked his dragons. Laurence nodded and teared up. Victor growled and snatched Laurence away, giving him a hug before he kissed the top of Laurence's head. "HEY!" Dante hissed. "I was holding him. Laurence, it's going to be okay," he promised him then went to take Laurence back but earned a hiss from Victor. Laurence sniffled again and rubbed his eyes before he laid his head down on Victor's shoulder. Victor purred softly and rubbed Laurence's head then rocked him in his arms before he looked towards Val as Dante scooted closer and grabbed one of Laurence's hands. I frowned and moved closer before I rubbed Laurence's back soothingly. That's why he summoned us. He's upset.
"So why did they leave you?" Val asked and frowned. "They love you."
"They left because dragon hunters are coming for dragons," Victor whispered. "Something about how the dragon order fell and how the dragon queen is leaving to go back to the dragon realm, taking the other dragons with her. They didn't want to be killed and retreated. Baylorik took Mayloi with him by force."
"Poor Laurence~ We'll have to get you a new companion before we leave. I'm surprised Paris and Richard aren't here." Victor frowned then nodded at Val.
"If they were here though, they'd be kissing and thinking about sex. It's probably best that the two love birds are where they can go to their bedroom easily if they want to," he told her.
"They don't even know we're here," Rose told them. "We came here earlier today to ask Laurence something and we plan to stay for a little while." Victor nodded towards them then smirked before he widened his eyes as Dante finally snatched Laurence away and held him close.
"Anyways, I think it's best that they aren't here right now," Dante said calmly then kissed the top of Laurence's head, rubbing his shoulder.
"Probably right," Val whispered. Dante nodded then looked Laurence over before he bit down into him and purred at the taste of his blood, making Victor narrow his eyes. Laurence purred lightly and hiccupped suddenly. I frowned and watched as Dante sunk his fangs in deeper and moaned. Great, there's biting? I didn't even get to bite Val earlier. Laurence sniffled before letting out a small moan. I suddenly smelled Dante's venom entering Laurence's veins as Dante lost it and gripped him tightly, closing his eyes as he drank from Laurence in delight. Laurence gripped Dante's shirt quickly and trembled a little. Victor frowned and snatched Laurence away quickly before he tsked at Dante.
"Dante, you can't do that to him, not like this," he said then smirked. "He's going to get you when he snaps out of being drunk." Laurence gave Victor a dazed look and gave a small smile before he touched Victor's lips. I watched closely as Victor glanced towards him then purred a little. "What?" He asked Laurence and rubbed his head then went to take Laurence's finger away from his lip as Dante licked his lips clean. Laurence exposed his fangs and giggled.
Victor's POV:
I frowned and eyed Laurence's fangs over then tsked. That can't be any good. Dante screwed his head up with venom.... Laurence licked his fangs before giggling and grabbed my shirt quickly. "Laurence, what are you doing?" I asked him calmly and looked from his fangs to his eyes as I held his hands that were holding my shirt.
"Watch out Victor, he might bite you," Dante teased me lightly. Laurence giggled and looked towards Dante before he eyed his neck over and went for him again- trying to ditch me. I widened my eyes and watched as Dante exposed his fangs playfully at Laurence. "What are you doing?" He asked and smirked as he took a swig of his bottle of vodka. Laurence giggled as he got into Dante's lap and leaned in for his neck. At least it's not me he's about to bite.... I watched as Dante frowned and put his finger against Laurence's lips to stop him. Laurence bit down on Dante's fingers quickly. I laughed as Dante yelped and went to get his fingers back. "Hey! That's my fingers! Don't bite those!" Laurence giggled and slipped past Dante's fingers and bit down into his neck. Dante groaned as he winced then looked towards Laurence before he slowly wrapped his arms around him and let him drink from him. Laurence purred as he continued drinking from Dante and let out a pleased moan. I tsked as I watched them then frowned as I heard Dante moan softly as he tilted his head, making Laurence's fangs go in deeper. I heard Alex get up from beside me then walk over towards Vlad and sit with them, talking to the two of them. Laurence let out a small sigh as he pulled away from Dante's neck and licked his lips.
"You want to sleep with me and Victor?" He asked curiously. What?! Well... I guess that's okay. Besides, Dante is fun~ I smirked and watched as Dante thought it over then nodded.
"Sure, I don't see why not," he whispered.
"Heh," I muttered and eyed the two of them over. This is going to be lots of fun.
"Great~ Le'me tell you a storwie," he mumbled and yawned.
"Are you sure you should?" Dante asked and raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you should take a nap." I laughed and scooted closer before I leaned in and kissed Laurence's cheek.
"You could nap in my lap," I suggested to Laurence. "I'll make sure you wind up in your bed safe and sound."
"But I wanna tell you a stowie, Pick a number one through ten."
"Eight," Dante hummed out then smirked before he started to rock Laurence.
"Eight is symmetrical," Laurence yawned out.
"Mhmm," he whispered then started to hum a lullaby lightly as he watched Laurence. I smirked and started to gently play with Laurence's hair, knowing he'd pass out soon. Laurence let out a sleepy sigh and eyed over the fire before he closed his eyes and smiled.
"Think we should take him to bed?" I asked Dante calmly and watched as Dante slowly stopped rocking then pulled Laurence up to his shoulder and rubbed his back.
"Yeah, maybe. Let's go put him away so he can sleep," he told me and got to his feet. "We can come back out and spend time with the others after he's in bed."
"Awe, goodnight Laurence," Val whispered as she watched us.
"Unless you'd rather hold him," Dante teased Val and smirked. I got up then laughed, taking Laurence from him and held him close, cradling him to help him sleep.
"I don't want to hold him the whole time," Val whispered. "Are you two sure we should let him sleep alone for a little bit? Maybe I'll go get Baleen to watch him."
"Well... I'll hold him," I said and sat down, rocking him. "I don't mind. He's a good friend of mine~" I purred as I watched Laurence and kissed his cheek. He might wake up if he's left in a cold bed by himself anyways. Dante sat down beside me and frowned.
"Are you sure about that?" He asked me.
"If we do, he might wake up in a cold bed and then he'll be upset," I told him calmly.
"We'll just try not to wake him up," Val purred out.
"He'll be fine out here until we tire out and go to bed ourselves," I told them and smirked. "The fire is warm, and his little body probably enjoys the extra heat." Laurence let out a small purr then.
"Well Victor... why don't you tell us about what you've been doing," Rose suggested. I smirked then and looked towards her. Heh, what a wonderful question.
"I've been busy making improvements on my castle, and lately I had a traitor that tried to sell Russian secrets to another prince, so I've been torturing him as punishment~! His screams are so wonderful to hear, and the fear in his eyes when I go to visit him makes it so much more worthwhile. I'll probably have to kill him soon. He looks so weak these days," I hummed out then rubbed Laurence's head gently. "What have you been doing, Rose?"
"Well~ Lately I've taken it upon myself to try to help Vlad and Richard. Tomorrow I'm going into town to search for St. Cross. According to Laurence he's who I need to find for them. I already got Paris's permission to search. We can't tell Richard though because we're afraid he won't take it very well." She gave a small sigh as she looked to be thinking about something. "Val later I'm thinking about studying medicine. Could you help me?"
"Of course, ~! You can come stay with me and I'll give you all the medicine books Alex can get his hands on. Then we'll get you a tutor if you need one afterwards." She stood up quickly and walked over to Rose before she sat down by her to start talking about it with her. Looks like Rose will get her dream after all... I better watch out.